Türkiye Could Become Ukraine’s Main Partner and Ally
Russia’s treacherous invasion and the United States’ de facto giving up the global leadership make Ukraine seek allies not only in the West but also in the East.
As for the Western vector, everything is more or less clear. The leaders of the Baltic States and Central and Eastern Europe are clearly aware of the threat posed by the Russian Federation, and therefore, by all means available to them, are trying to delay the Russians’ armed attack.
The Germans, the British and the French also realize the danger Russia poses to them, but the fact that their borders are quite far from Russia gives them more time and options for behavior in their relations with the Russian Federation.
Today, one of the main problems for Ukraine is that while the Armed Forces of Ukraine are waging an uncompromising and bloody war against the Russian invaders, the leaders of the West are delaying providing an adequate response to the aggressor and bringing it to justice for all war crimes committed by it.
Under such circumstances, the Eastern direction of development of Ukraine’s foreign policy relations could be more realistic and promising, in particular in ensuring long-term peace and stability at the regional level.
Turkey could become Ukraine’s main partner and ally here. It is well known that today Ukraine and Turkey are the largest countries in the region, and given the current circumstances, the most influential. Combining the military-political, economic, scientific and technical potentials of Ukraine and Turkey would make it possible to quickly cool Russia’s belligerence and force it to end the war and take responsibility for the damage it has caused and the crimes it has committed.
History knows many examples of successful Ukrainian-Turkish military and political cooperation. In particular, it is worth mentioning the joint victory of the combined forces of Ukrainian Hetman Ivan Vyhovskyi and Crimean Khan Mehmed ІV, who was then under the protectorate of the Turkish Sultan, over the Moscow army during the Battle of Konotop in June 1659.
Even today, the creation of a Ukrainian-Turkish military and political alliance could ensure Ukraine’s victory over Russia, and in the future, such an alliance could play a key role in ensuring long-term peace and stability in the entire the Baltic-Black Sea-Caspian region.
Another important political motive for closer Ukrainian-Turkish cooperation is the Crimean Tatar factor.
According to some estimates, to date, 5 to 8 million Crimean Tatars live in Turkey, and they are concerned about the fate of those who live in Crimea on the territory of Ukraine under Russian occupation.
Also, the majority of Crimean Tatars still remember the ethnic cleansing organized by Stalin in May-June 1944. That was one of the Soviet regime’s worst crimes against the Crimean Tatar people, who were allowed to return to their historic homeland only after the collapse of the Soviet Union and the creation of independent Ukraine.
The vast majority of Crimean Tatars still remember the years of deportation very well and do not want to repeat those bitter lessons of history.
As a result of Russia’s armed aggression against Ukraine, many Crimean Tatars and Ukrainians had to leave for abroad. They are looking forward to Crimea’s being liberated from Russian invaders and returning to their homes, and the creation of a Ukrainian-Turkish military-political association could significantly speed up this process. Over time, this military-political alliance could be joined by Poland, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Georgia, Azerbaijan, as well as other countries interested in a speedy end to the Russian-Ukrainian war, curbing Russia’s aggressive foreign policy and ensuring stability and lasting peace in the entire Baltic-Black Sea-Caspian region.
Oleh Bereziuk,
Institute for Global Politics
